Many of the customs of the Dahcotahs are to be attributed to their superstitions.

Their teepees are always made of buffalo-skins; nothing would induce them to use deer-skin for that purpose.

Many years ago a woman made a teepee of deer-skin; and was taken suddenly ill, and died immediately after.

Some reason must be found for the cause of her death, and as no other was known, the Indians concluded that she brought her death upon herself by using deer-skin for her teepee.

They have always, since, used buffalo-skin for that purpose.
Nothing would induce a Dahcotah woman to look into a looking-glass; for the medicine men say that death will be the consequence.
But there is no superstition which influences them more than their belief in Haokah, or the Giant.